Brave, non-denominational freedom fighters(Status of resistance in Kashmir,not to be considered as terrorism)

A letter to BBC by British Kashmiri community about calling Kashmiri resistance Forces Islamic terrorists:

Indian soldiers take cover during fighting in Kashmir in September 2013. (ROUF BHAT/AFP/Getty Images

Those of you who wonder why the BBC is so politically correct, so craven in its expressions regarding, for example, Islamic terror, may find a partial answer here: 

Stephen Whittle
Director of Editorial Policy at the BBC

Dear Stephen,

We have received many complaints over the last 24 hours from British Muslims regarding the use of the phrase ‘Islamic terrorists’ by your news reporters in connection with the struggle for Kashmiri independence.

We believe this phrase is totally inappropriate and adds nothing to the story and even distorts what is a long-standing struggle by the Kashmiri people to gain control of their own destiny.

We have noticed that your news reports are also failing to adequately report the background to this conflict. It is crucial that viewers and listeners are made aware that Kashmir is a Muslim-majority area which should have become part of Pakistan but did not because of the Hindu Maharajah who opted for union with India. This has caused immense misery for both countries but especially for the people of Kashmir.

Your recent news reports have not adequately mentioned that the Indian army is widely detested by the people of Kashmir and is regarded as an occupation force. The Indian army has been severely criticized for not allowing free access to the media in occupied Kashmir and has been blamed for many widespread human rights abuses against Kashmiri civilians.

The only way to resolve this issue is to allow the people of Kashmir a referendum on their future, not by military conflict.

Please could we meet to discuss this issue urgently as it is causing much distress to people who have strong family ties to Kashmir.

Kind regards,

Mr Inayat Bunglawala
Secretary,
Media Committee,
The Muslim Council of Britain

Response from Stephen Whittle

Thanks for your note. I have discussed this with the various output editors. It is not our policy to describe Kashmiri separatists in this way and that has been made clear. It was an isolated incident and will not be repeated.

Well, you can’t blame Inayat (a decent enough bloke, btw) for trying, seeing the immediate capitulation that occurs…